Manuel says Kratz is ready for the show

Former IronPigs catcher Erik Kratz has played well for the Phillies. (Brian Garfinkel, Getty…)

August 07, 2012|By Mandy Housenick, Of The Morning Call

PHILADELPHIA — Someone joked with Erik Kratz that he could write a book.

The title suggested? "The 32-year-old Rookie."

"I think Chris Coste would probably want some royalties from it," Kratz said with a big smile, referring to the former 33-year-old Phillies rookie who wrote a book on his first big-league season.

Kratz has been smiling a lot these days, and with good reason.

Kratz, taken in the 29th round by Toronto in the 2002 draft, has made quite an impression on Phillies manager Charlie Manuel this season. He's gotten to start seven games, and in those games, he hitting .391 (9-for-23) with six RBIs. For the year, he's batting .379 (11-for-29) with four home runs (two of which have been pinch-hit) and nine RBIs.

"If you go back and look at his swing, he's definitely done a lot of work," Manuel said.

He's made big strides behind the plate as well. He has thrown out three of six runners attempting to steal bases on him this season, including nailing the speedy Gerardo Parra (Diamondbacks) at second base from his knees Saturday.

But before this season, Kratz's chances had been extremely limited. All of his time from 2002-10 was spent in the minor leagues. He finally got a September call-up last year, but appeared in only two games, one of which he started on Sept. 20. He finished with six at-bats.

Manuel liked Kratz this year in spring training, and it prompted five call-ups. Manuel has seen so many positives from him that he's a believer Kratz is on his way to becoming full-time backup catcher in the major leagues.

"Without a doubt, yeah, yes I do [think so]," Manuel said. "As a matter of fact, I think Kratz, right now, can be a good backup catcher."

But why has it taken so long for him to get noticed?

"You have to be in the right place at the right time," Manuel added. "Some guys get tested on how much they want it and how much they're willing to work and all of that kind of stuff. And Kratzy might be one of those guys."

Phillies add bullpen depth

Rich Dubee likes this setup much better.

With Raul Valdez coming off the disabled list before Monday's game, the Phillies upped their number of relievers from six to seven.

"You just can't roll them out there every day," the pitching coach said. "You need numbers."

Valdes was originally placed on the DL on July 13 (backdated to July 9) with a right hip strain. In 16 games with the Phillies, the left-hander is 2-2 with a 3.80 ERA. He's allowed 15 hits, four walks and struck out 24 in 211/3 innings.

While 12 of his 16 outings have been scoreless, Valdes allowed runs in three of his last four appearances with the Phillies, a stretch during which he posted a 8.10 ERA and had a .269 batting average against.

"It's about execution," Dubee said. "He doesn't have overpowering stuff, so he's got to carve it up pretty good."

He did on Monday. In 11/3 innings pitched, he retired all four batters he faced, including three via strikeout.

To make room for Valdes on the 25-man roster, the club sent Hector Luna to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Utley making strides

Chase Utley's solo home run in the fifth inning Sunday gave him seven in 30 games this season, a number that is far greater than a year ago at this time.

Through 30 games in 2011, Utley had hit only three home runs and was averaging a home run every 37 at-bats. This year, he's averaging a home run every 15.1 at-bats.

Utley said he thinks he's putting together better at-bats and some changes to his swing have helped, too.

"It's probably a little bit of a combination," he said. "I think one has to do with the other, I've built some more strength in my legs. I still feel I can get them stronger."